PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Balagot Liu (ranked 320 p4p, 1070 weight class) and Zilch Filch (ranked 39 p4p, 137 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Liu
vs
Filch

173 cm
24
146
10 - 2 - 0

174 cm
34
154
24 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Aspire Clothing

HELLBENT
Shadow-Battle Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Balagot Liu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Zilch Filch!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Liu scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jab from Filch.
Liu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Liu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Filch turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Filch moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Filch throws a poor cross that misses
and Liu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Liu darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Liu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liu misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Filch to counter with a crisp jab.
Liu lands with a right hand.
Liu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Filch steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Liu.

Filch closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Liu's guard.
Filch throws a big right hand that misses.
Filch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Liu is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filch postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Liu controls Filch momentarily but Filch frees himself.
Filch landing some decent shots from guard.
Filch throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Liu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Liu bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Filch's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liu preventing the sweep.
Filch trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Filch throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Filch striking off his back but it's not causing Liu any problems.
Filch trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Liu trying to control the position from guard on top but Filch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Filch looking for a sweep. Not yet Filch, not yet.
Filch doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Liu preventing the sweep.
Filch can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Liu controls the pace.
Filch tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Filch thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liu is stalling in the full guard.
Liu has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Liu lunges at Filch with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Filch's hand.
A nice leg kick from Filch, right into the meat of the thigh.
Liu misses with a hook.
Liu throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filch missing with a left hand there. Liu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As Filch backs away, Liu returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Nice body kick there by Liu.
Liu misses with a hook to the body
enabling Filch to counter with a crisp jab.
Liu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Liu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Filch.
Filch lands a lovely overhand right.
Liu lands a nice looking body kick.
Filch looks to land a left hand but Liu moved out of range nicely.
Liu half committed to a counter leg kick.
Liu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Liu seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Filch paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Liu misses the jab.
Liu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Filch misses with a low kick.
Liu tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Filch manages to circle out of the way.
Filch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Liu sprawls well. Liu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Filch gets slowly back to his feet.
Liu was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu is looking to clinch.
Liu's jab looks to have found its range, popping Filch under the eye.
Filch scores with the left hand. Liu knows he should have avoided that one.
Liu staying out of range there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Liu!
Liu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Liu goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Liu lands with a nice body kick.
A slow jab from Liu misses its intended target.
Liu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Filch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balagot Liu dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Liu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Liu throws a front kick that sends Filch stumbling back into the cage.
Balagot Liu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filch shoots in and drives through. Liu sprawls well.
Liu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Filch can do to turn this around?
Liu ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Liu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Liu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Filch.
Liu listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Filch sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Filch takes a jab right on the kisser.
Liu lands a front kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liu throws a hook to the side of Filch's head but Filch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Liu's jab looks to have found its range, popping Filch under the eye.
Liu thows a body kick. Filch tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Liu looks for the body kick but Filch saw that one coming.
Filch throws the left hand but Liu avoids the punch easily.
Crunch! Liu slams his shin into Filch's torso.
Filch slips under a jab.
Filch has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Liu finds it's way round the side to connect with Filch's head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Liu. That's going to slow Filch down.
Filch looks for the body kick but Liu saw that one coming.
Filch tries to land a leg kick but Liu saw it coming and moves away.
Liu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Filch. That did some damage!
Filch moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filch looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Filch looks to land a combination but Liu avoids it well.
Filch has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Liu.
Liu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Filch moves out of range of the body kick from Liu.
Liu takes a swing at Filch's ribcage but misses.
Liu lands with a thumping leg kick.
A jab lands there for Liu.
Filch takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Filch has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Liu finds it's way round the side to connect with Filch's head.
Filch throws a leg kick but Liu checks it.
Liu cracks Filch with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Filch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Liu lands a leg kick that knocks Filch off balance momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu lands a nice leg kick that just misses Filch's sensitive parts.
Filch's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Liu looks to land a body kick but Filch moved away.
Liu avoids a kick to the body.
Filch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Liu circles away quickly and effectively.
Liu drops his hands momentarily and Filch takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Filch throws a lazy uppercut
and Liu counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Balagot Liu is winning the standup battle so far.
Filch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Filch on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Liu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Filch.
Liu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Filch.
Liu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Filch has time to react.
Liu looks to land a left hand but Filch moved out of range nicely.
Liu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Filch stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Filch blocks a head kick by Liu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filch misses with a hook to the body
and Liu counters with a series of strikes. Filch will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Filch shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A quick step to the side and Liu tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Liu lands a front kick.
Filch steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Liu. That one must have hurt.
Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Liu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Filch. Liu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Filch checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Filch takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Liu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Filch looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Filch looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
Liu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Filch.
Filch has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Liu.
Filch ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balagot Liu dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Filch takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Liu throws out a loose jab but Filch uses good head movement to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Liu.
Filch has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Liu connects with a nice looking jab.
Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Filch manages to avoid it.
Liu throws a poor cross that misses
and Filch counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Filch tries to close the distance and clinch but Liu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Filch walks into a straight right hand from Liu.
Filch scores with a three punch combo!
Liu looks to land a right hand but Filch moved out of range.
Filch is trying to counter with his kicks.
Filch looks to land a body kick but Liu moved away.
Filch ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Liu drives through and clinches with Filch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Liu works on Filch's body with a couple of short punches.
Filch misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Filch fails to land.
Filch doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Liu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A shot in the inside from Liu.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Filch.
Filch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Liu blocks it with crossed arms.
Filch swings wildly with an uppercut but Liu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Filch lands with a left to the head.
Liu struggles to land a body shot inside as Filch controls his hands.
Filch struggles to land a body shot inside as Liu controls his hands.
Liu prevents a body shot from Filch.
Liu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Filch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Filch tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Liu avoids it.
Liu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Liu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Liu swings wildly with an uppercut but Filch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zilch Filch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Filch can't get the takedown.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Filch.
Filch struggles to land a body shot inside as Liu controls his hands.
Liu can't find room to land a body shot as Filch controls the action.
A body shot lands from Liu.
Filch tries to pull guard but Liu holds him up against the cage and eventually Filch drops back down to his feet.
Filch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for Liu.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Filch.
Filch tries to work over Liu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Liu.
Liu misses with a body punch.
Liu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Liu tries to work over Filch's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Filch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Liu scores with a nice hook to the head.
Filch tries to work over Liu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Filch struggles to land a body shot inside as Liu controls his hands.
Liu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filch tries to work over Liu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Liu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Filch swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Filch misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Liu breaks the clinch.
A low kick lands for Liu.
Filch throws a hook but Liu avoids it easily.
Nice shot lands for Liu.
Liu scores with a kick to the body.
Liu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Filch doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Filch takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Filch rushes Liu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Liu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liu lands with a left to the head.
Liu lands a body punch.
Balagot Liu has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Filchs head.
Liu tries to work over Filch's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Liu lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Filch.
Liu pushes Filch back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Filch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Liu.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Liu.

Filch is rocked!
A short uppercut from Liu.
Filch is still on wobbly legs! Can Liu finish him?
Liu digs a right hand into Filch's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Filch's gas tank.
Liu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Filch backwards.
Liu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Liu is working Filch over against the cage.
A body shot lands from Liu.
Good body shot from Liu.
Liu works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short body shot lands from Liu as the two fighters clinch.
Liu lands an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Filch takes a shot to the head.

Liu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A chopping leg kick lands by Liu.
Liu connects with a nice looking jab.
Liu scores with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balagot Liu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Liu, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balagot Liu!
A very excited looking Balagot Liu made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.